(a) A binary star system consists of two stars of masses m 1 and m 2 orbiting...

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(a) A binary star system consists of two stars of masses m1 and m2 orbiting about one another.

Suppose that the orbits of the two stars are circles of radii \(r_{1}\) and \(r_{2}\), centered on their center of mass. Show that the period of the orbital motion is given by

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(b) The binary system Cygnus X-1 consists of two stars orbiting about their common center of mass with orbital period 5.6 days. One of the stars is a supergiant with a mass 25 times that of the sun. The other star is believed to be a black hole with a mass of about 10 times the mass of the sun. From the information given, determine the distance between these stars, assuming that the orbits are circular.

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Modern Classical Mechanics

ISBN: 9781108834971

1st Edition

Authors: T. M. Helliwell, V. V. Sahakian

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